The engine swap is a tradition in hot rodding and HOT ROD magazine.Cadillac V-8s and Buick nailheads in Model A and B Fords werecommonplace in the early days, and the musclecar was born via theconcept of the engine swap. Anyone over the age of 35 remembers V-8Vegas, Monzas, and Pintos, lightweight economy cars that were easilymade to go very fast with a healthy small-block stuffed in place of thestock four. And let's not forget the V-8 Datsun 240/260/280Z, whichcombined Chevy V-8 power with the little sports car's inherent handlingabilities.

Although the government and environmental activists make it increasinglydifficult to wedge big engines into little cars that didn't come soequipped, we still can't help but look at most new cars and wonder howto stuff bigger or more powerful engines in them. When the PontiacSolstice made its debut over a year ago, with an Ecotec four under thehood and a rear-wheel-drive platform, that was the first thought on themind of each HOT ROD staffer. So, discussions began with General MotorsPerformance Division (GMPD) about how we could do it. What resulted wasan agreement for GMPD to help us engineer the engine swap and sort outsome of the more difficult details.

Over the next three issues you will see our efforts to build the car. Inhindsight, the level of effort expended in order to create and refinethis machine was perhaps over the top for the average backyardenthusiast, but the end product is, as the goal required, the World'sBaddest Solstice. And the information we include in this three-partseries will make it easier for anyone to do it at home, even if not onsuch a grand scale. As you will see in this story and the otherinstallments, we used primarily GM production parts, and a lot of thembolted in with a minimum of fuss. Where they didn't is where thingskinda got carried away, but as you'll see, you don't have to go as faras we did to have a fast V-8 Solstice.

What do we plan to do with this car when it's done? Everything and thensome. Optimism says it'll be at as many of the HOT ROD events in 2006 aspossible, including the Top Speed Shootout (Maxton, North Carolina,April 1-2), Pump Gas Drags(TM) (Memphis Motorsports Park, May 12), PowerTour(TM) (June 3-10), and Drag Week(TM) (September 11-15). If you go toone of these events, you can check out this car in person--assuming, ofcourse, that we don't crash it. With the amount of labor, time, andmoney that went into this thing, that would be bad.

Solstice GXP Turbo--coming in '07 with 260 hp

HOT ROD is showing how to put a V-8 in a Solstice for many reasons, oneof them being that GM balanced the Solstice for the four-cylinder Ecotecengine family--nothing more. But that doesn't mean a more powerfulSolstice can be only handbuilt. This fall, you'll be able to buy theSolstice GXP, a performance version that will have an impressive 2.0L,260 hp, 260-lb-ft turbocharged Ecotec engine under the hood and a wholelot more.

While the 2.4L Ecotec that comes in the base Solstice is no slouch at177 hp, the GXP version is just starting to show the real potential ofthis engine. The GXP Ecotec is the highest-specific- output engine everproduced by GM--making 2.1 hp per cubic inch of displacement--and themost powerful production Ecotec ever. It is also the firstdirect-fuel-injection engine offered by GM in North America. Directinjection means each fuel injector sprays the fuel directly into thecombustion chamber, right at the piston. This technology is common indiesel engines and some European gasoline engines, but it is relativelynew to the U.S. market. The turbo is a dual-scroll design that pumps airinto an air-to-air intercooler stuffed in the front of the car forreduced inlet temperatures, making more power. The engine utilizes dualcam phasing to optimize the valve timing for maximum performance at lowand high rpm.

The Solstice GXP will be easily recognizable on the street with uniquefront and rear fasciae and polished dual-exhaust tips. Other featuresyou won't see but will no doubt be able to feel include GM's StabiliTrakfour-channel electronic stability control and a 3.73:1 rear gear.Options will include a sport suspension, four-wheel disc brakes withABS, a limited-slip differential (you'll want that in order to do good,smoky burnouts!), power windows/locks/mirrors and keyless entry (you canskip these to save weight), 18-inch polished wheels, a rear deckspoiler, sport metallic pedals, and an XM Satellite Radio, among others.

While the Solstice GXP is not yet available, early performance figuresreleased by GM indicate the car will run 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds andweigh approximately 2,950 pounds. It won't run with our V8 car, butthat's pretty fast for a four-banger.

Top Three HOT ROD V-8 Solstice Performance Tips

1. Swap the Solstice rear differential for one out of theCadillac CTS-V, which has stronger gears (the cases are identical). Thepower needs to go somewhere--make sure it gets to the tires!

2. Install a fire extinguisher somewhere in the car. With allthat heat under the hood, you'll need something to cool you off.

3. Figure out a way to hang on! A V-8 in one of these rides isgoing to make it fly, so make sure you've got good driver safetyequipment (racing seatbelts and seats, rollbar, and so on).

Roll Your Own

If you're thinking of building your own hot rod Solstice, you'll want tostudy this list. Many of the components can be ordered from your GMdealer via the listed GM part numbers, and some can be custom-built,such as the radiator. We'll list the custom pieces with theirspecifications and where HOT ROD got them. As a tip, if you don't wantto spend the money for the dry-sumped LS7 crate engine, substitute a400hp LS2 (PN 12499750) or LS6 (PN 17801268) crate engine in its placeand use all the same engine dress components (they are common for theLS-engine family) listed below--it will still be plenty fast.